Hinge conduit casing

ABSTRACT

A hinge conduit casing is provided for protecting and concealing service conduits passing from a refrigerator frame to a door mounted pivotally thereto. The casing comprises a pocket and an angular guide slidably engageable into the pocket. The pocket is affixed to the frame and the angular guide is mounted to the door. The angular guide has a pivot end mounted pivotally to the door and a receiving end insertable into the pocket. When the door is opened at an angle relative to the frame, the receiving end of the angular guide remains, at least in part, in the pocket to conceal and protect the service conduits passing therethrough.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to protecting and concealingservice conduits passing from a frame to a door mounted pivotallyadjacent the frame. More specifically, this invention relates to acasing for service conduits entering the freezer door of a refrigeratorwith ice and water dispensers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerators commonly have ice and water dispensing devices in one doorand often include a light, display, or other electrical device. In orderto operate, such dispensing devices require access to water andelectricity. Refrigerators having such dispensing devices generally havewires and/or conduits that pass from the refrigerator frame to the doorto provide water and electrical service. These service conduitstypically extend from the service source through the main refrigeratorframe to a lower door hinge, pass over or through the hinge, andcontinue through the refrigerator door to the dispensing device. Theseconduits generally are not protected or concealed at the juncture of theframe and door. Thus, when the door is opened and closed, not only arethe conduits visible, but the conduits are subject to pinching betweenthe door and the frame at the juncture, possibly causing damage to theconduits, the door, or the refrigerator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This present invention provides a hinge conduit casing for protectingand concealing service conduits passing from a frame to a door mountedpivotally adjacent the frame. The casing comprises a pocket and anangular guide, which is insertable into, and slidably engageable with,the pocket. The pocket is affixed to the frame and the angular guide ismounted pivotally to the door. One or more service conduits pass fromthe frame through the pocket and angular guide to the door.

The angular guide has a first section with a first longitudinal axis anda second section with a second longitudinal axis, the second sectionextends from the first section, and the first and second longitudinalaxes extend from one another at an angle greater than 90°. The angularguide has a pivot end that is mounted pivotally to the door and areceiving end that is insertable into the pocket. The pivot end ismounted on the door such that when the receiving end of the angularguide is in the pocket and the door is opened at an angle relative tothe frame, the receiving end of the angular guide remains, at least inpart, in the pocket. In order to reduce wear on the conduit casing, theshape, length and stiffness of the conduits can prevent the angularguide from contacting the walls of the pocket when the door is open orclosed. The nesting pocket and angular guide allow the service conduitsto remain concealed and protected when the door is open and closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conduit casing assembly in arefrigerator with the door open.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pocket positioned in a frame.

FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the pocket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pocket of FIG. 2disassembled from the frame and pocket mount.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an angular guide positioned in a pivotbase and angular guide mounting bracket.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the angular guide of FIG. 5disassembled from the pivot base and angular guide mounting bracket.

FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the conduit casing of FIG. 1 in a doorand frame configuration with the door closed.

FIG. 8 is a partial top view of the conduit casing of FIG. 1 in a doorand frame configuration with the door open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, referenceshould be made to the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the figures.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a conduit casing is shown within arefrigerator 5. The casing protects and conceals wires or serviceconduits that pass from main frame 10 to door 15 of refrigerator 5. Suchwires or conduits include, for example, water lines for a water and icedispenser in a refrigerator door, electrical wires for lighting devicesdisposed in the door, cables for television signals, or the like.Although FIG. 1 depicts the conduit casing in a side-by-siderefrigerator freezer, the conduit casing can be used in a top or bottommounted refrigerator/freezer orientation, with stacked doors or a singledoor unit. Furthermore, the conduit casing as described herein is notlimited to household appliances and could be used in any door and frameconfiguration, such as, for example, a car door. The conduit casing isshown throughout the figures in use in a refrigerator for ease ofexplanation, but should not be limited to such use.

The conduit casing comprises a pocket 20 and an angular guide 25.Generally, the pocket 20 is received into the frame 10 and the angularguide 25 is mounted pivotally to the door 15. The angular guide 25 isslidably insertable into the pocket 20. In one embodiment, the angularguide 25 does not touch the walls of the pocket 20 when the door 15 isopen or closed. The angular guide 25 and pocket 20 are positioned suchthat a service conduit (see FIGS. 7 and 8) can pass from the frame 10through the pocket 20 and angular guide 25 to the door 15. When the door15 is closed, the angular guide 25 is contained, at least in part, bythe pocket 20. When the door 15 is opened, the angular guide 25 remains,at least in part, inside the pocket 20. Thus, since the angular guide 25and pocket 20 nest to create a continuous covering or casing, theservice conduits are concealed and protected while the door 15 is closedor open.

In FIG. 2, the pocket 20 is shown inserted into the frame 10. The pocket20 includes an open front face 38 for receiving the angular guide 25,and a rear wall 35 with an opening 30 for receiving one or more serviceconduits from the refrigerator 5. The opening 30 can be any size orshape suitable for receiving a single or multiple conduits, andalternatively can comprise a plurality of openings. Optionally, thepocket 20 includes a lip 40 extending outwardly from the open face 38.The lip 40 can assist in proper positioning of the pocket 20 duringinstallation into the frame 10 and can prevent the pocket 20 fromsliding out of the frame 10.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the pocket 20 is shown with a top wall 45, abottom wall 50, and two side walls 55 disposed therebetween. The top,bottom, and side walls define the open front face 38. Although thepocket 20 is shown as a substantially rectangular prism, the pocket 20can be of any shape or size suitable for receiving the angular guide 25.For example, side walls 55 are shown as being parallel and similarlyshaped; but could be tapered or placed in any configuration relative toeach other and, alternatively still, could be of varying sizes. Further,although FIG. 3 illustrates the rear wall 35 disposed opposite frontface 38 with opening 30, the pocket 20 could be open at both ends, i.e.without a rear wall, with the service conduits passing through the openends of the pocket 20.

FIG. 4 depicts the pocket 20 disassembled from the frame 10. Frame 10has an opening 60 for slidably receiving the pocket 20. Generally, thepocket 20 is removably insertable into the frame, but could be securedto the frame 10 by any suitable means, such as a pocket mount 65, asshown. If used, the pocket mount 65 is securable itself to the frame 10and generally has an opening 70 that slidably receives the pocket 20.

The pocket 20 and angular guide 25 are shown in FIGS. 2-4 in a differentconfiguration than as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The pocket 20 as shown inFIGS. 2-4 has a pronounced rear opening 30, while FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate a pocket 20 with an opening 30 in profile to the shape of thepocket. The particular configuration of the pocket 20 and angular guide25 shown in the figures should not be limited in any manner to theparticular shape shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, the angular guide 25 is mounted pivotally to thedoor 15 with a pivot base 75 and an angular guide mounting bracket 85.The angular guide is pivotally mounted on the pivot base 75, which isinserted into a recess in the door 15 or otherwise secured to the door15 using the angular guide mounting bracket 85. The pivot base isgenerally disposed on the lower portion of door 15. The angular guide 25has a pivot end 95 for pivotally mounting the angular guide 25 on thepivot base 75, and a receiving end 105 that is insertable into thepocket 20. Preferably, pivot end 95 has an opening 98 and receiving end105 has an opening 108, such that one or more service conduits can passthrough angular guide 25 to a device in the door 15.

FIG. 6 depicts the angular guide 25 disassembled from the pivot base 75and angular guide mounting bracket 85. The angular guide 25 has a firstsection 100 having a first longitudinal axis 102 and a second section110 having a second longitudinal axis 112. The first and secondlongitudinal axes extend from each other at an angle greater than 90°.In one embodiment, the angle is between about 100° and about 140°. Inanother embodiment, the angle is about 120°. As shown in FIG. 5, thefirst section 100 of the angular guide 25 substantially is cylindricalwhile the second section 110 substantially is flared. However, the firstand second angular guide sections can be of any size or shape suitablefor encasing one or more service conduits. Preferably, the secondsection 110 of the angular guide is configured to allow the one or moreconduits to move freely within the angular guide 25 while the door 15opens or closes. For example, the opening 108 at the receiving end 105is larger substantially than the service conduits to prevent binding orrestricting movement of the conduits when the door 15 opens and closes.

The pivot base 75 has a recess 80 for receiving the angular guide 25,which can be mounted pivotally to the pivot base 75 in numerous ways.For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the angular guide 25 can comprise a pinportion 90, extending downwardly from the pivot end 95, which can beinserted into the pivot base 75. Angular guide 25 can be fastened to thepivot base 75 using any conventional means, such as welding, bonding, oradhesives, or held by fastening means 115, such as washers, spacers,nuts, or bolts. Generally, the angular guide 25 is fastened to the pivotbase 75 to pivot freely on the pivot base 75.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a conduit casing is shown in a door and frameconfiguration with the door 15 closed. The angular guide 25 is mountedpivotally in the door 15 and the pocket 20 is slidably inserted into theframe 10. One or more service conduits 120 pass from the frame 10,through the pocket 20, through the angular guide 25, and into the door15, to a device located in the door 15. When the door 15 is closed, thelongitudinal axis 102 of the first portion 100 of the angular guide 25generally is parallel to the longitudinal axis 17 of the door 15 and thelongitudinal axis 12 of the frame 10. When the door 15 is being opened,the angular guide 25 pivots about the pivot end 95, such that thelongitudinal axis 102 of the first portion 100 of the angular guide 25remains parallel with the longitudinal axis 12 of the frame 10. When thedoor 15 is open, as shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal axis 102 of thefirst portion 100 of the angular guide 25 is at an angle with thelongitudinal axis 17 of the door 15, but is parallel to the longitudinalaxis 12 of the frame 10. In order to reduce wear on the conduit casing,the shape, length and stiffness of the service conduits 120 can preventthe angular guide 25 from contacting the walls of the pocket 20 when thedoor 15 is open or closed. Although FIG. 8 shows the door 15 opened at a120° angle relative to the frame 10, the conduit casing can beconfigured to allow the door 15 to open at angles greater than about120°, for example, about 180°. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the one ormore service conduits 120 are free to move within the angular guide 25as the door 15 opens and closes, preventing damage and wear of theconduits.

Although the above description and accompanying figures depict theangular guide as a bent elbow comprising two sections, the angular guidecan be of any suitable shape and can comprise more than two sections.For example, the angular guide can be substantially C-shaped.Furthermore, the conduit casing may comprise more than one angularguide, nested within each other, to achieve an extended range of motion.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art. All equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention. Further, thevarious components of the embodiments of the present invention can beinterchanged to produce further embodiments and these furtherembodiments are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.Various modifications can be made to the thereof. Therefore, theforegoing is of the invention.

1. A casing for housing at least one service conduit passing from aframe to a door pivotally mounted to the frame of a household appliance,the casing comprising: (a) a pocket having a top wall, a bottom wall,and two side walls disposed therebetween, said top, bottom, and sidewalls defining a front pocket opening and a rear pocket opening; and (b)an angular guide insertable into the front pocket opening and slidablyengageable with the pocket; wherein the pocket is insertable into theframe and the angular guide is insertable into the door; wherein theangular guide has a first section with a first longitudinal axis and asecond section with a second longitudinal axis, the second sectionextending from the first section; the second longitudinal axis extendingfrom the first longitudinal axis at an angle greater than 90°; and thefirst section terminating in a pivot end having a pivot end opening andthe second section terminating in a receiving end having a receiving endopening, wherein when the receiving end of the angular guide is disposedin the pocket and the door is opened, the receiving end of the angularguide remains in the pocket.
 2. The casing of claim 1, wherein the dooris opened at an angle less than 180°.
 3. The casing of claim 1, whereinthe door is opened at an angle less than 120°.
 4. The casing of claim 1,wherein the angular guide does not contact the walls of the pocket whenthe door is open or closed.
 5. The casing of claim 1, wherein the pocketfurther comprises a rear wall positioned opposite the front pocketopening, said rear wall having a rear wall opening.
 6. The casing ofclaim 1, wherein a lip extends outwardly from the top, bottom, and sidewalls of the pocket around the front pocket opening.
 7. The casing ofclaim 1, wherein the first section of the angular guide is substantiallycylindrical and the second section of the angular guide is asubstantially trapezoidal prism.
 8. The casing of claim 1, wherein theservice conduit passes from the frame through the pocket, through theangular guide to the door.
 9. A casing for housing at least one serviceconduit, the casing comprising: (a) a pocket assembly comprising (i) apocket having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls disposedtherebetween, said top, bottom, and side walls defining a front pocketopening and a rear pocket opening; and (ii) a frame with a frame openingfor receiving the pocket; and (b) an angular guide assembly comprising(i) a pivot base; and (ii) an angular guide mounted pivotally on saidpivot base, the angular guide being insertable into the front pocketopening and receivable into the pocket; wherein the angular guide has afirst section with a first longitudinal axis and a second section with asecond longitudinal axis, the second section extending from the firstsection; the second longitudinal axis extending from the firstlongitudinal axis at an angle greater than 90°; the first sectionterminating in a pivot end having a pivot end opening and the secondsection terminating in a receiving end having a receiving end opening,wherein when the receiving end of the angular guide is disposed in thepocket and the pivot base is pivoted away from the frame, the receivingend of the angular guide remains in the pocket.
 10. The casing of claim9, wherein the pivot base comprises a recess for receiving the angularguide.
 11. The casing of claim 9, wherein the pivot base is pivoted awayfrom the frame at an angle less than 180°.
 12. The casing of claim 9,wherein the pivot base is pivoted away from the frame at an angle lessthan 120°.
 13. The casing of claim 9, wherein the pocket is mounted tothe frame with a pocket mount.
 14. The casing of claim 9, wherein thepocket optionally has a rear wall positioned opposite the front pocketopening, said rear wall having a rear wall opening.
 15. The casing ofclaim 9, wherein a lip extends outwardly from the top, bottom, and sidewalls of the pocket around the front pocket opening.
 16. The casing ofclaim 15, wherein when the pocket is inserted into the frame opening,the lip contacts the frame.
 17. The casing of claim 9, wherein the firstsection of the angular guide is substantially cylindrical and the secondsection of the angular guide is a substantially trapezoidal prism. 18.The casing of claim 9, wherein the angular guide further comprises a pinportion extending downwardly from the pivot end.
 19. The casing of claim18, wherein the pin portion is secured to the pivot base such that theangular guide can pivot freely about the pivot end.
 20. A conduit casingfor a door pivotally mounted to a frame comprising: (a) a pocket mountedon the frame, the pocket having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two sidewalls disposed therebetween, said top, bottom, and side walls defining afront pocket opening and a rear pocket opening; and (b) an angular guideassembly mounted on the door, the angular guide assembly comprising: (i)a pivot base; and (ii) an angular guide pivotally mounted on said pivotbase, the angular guide being insertable into the front pocket openingand receivable into the pocket; wherein the frame has a frame openingfor receiving the pocket; wherein the angular guide has a first sectionwith a first longitudinal axis and a second section with a secondlongitudinal axis, the second section extending from the first section;the second longitudinal axis extending from the first longitudinal axisat an angle greater than 90°; the first section terminating in a pivotend having a pivot end opening and the second section terminating in areceiving end having a receiving end opening, wherein when the receivingend of the angular guide is disposed in the pocket and the door isopened, the receiving end of the angular guide remains in the pocket.21. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the pivot base comprises arecess for receiving the angular guide.
 22. The conduit casing of claim20, wherein the door is opened at an angle less than 180°.
 23. Theconduit casing of claim 20, wherein the door is opened at an angle lessthan 120°.
 24. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the angular guidedoes not contact the walls of the pocket when the door is open orclosed.
 25. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the longitudinalaxis of the first section of the angular guide is parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the frame when the door is open or closed.
 26. Theconduit casing of claim 20, wherein the pocket is mounted to the framewith a pocket mount.
 27. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein thepocket optionally has a rear wall positioned opposite the front pocketopening, said rear wall having a rear wall opening.
 28. The conduitcasing of claim 20, wherein a lip extends outwardly from the top,bottom, and side walls of the pocket around the front pocket opening.29. The conduit casing of claim 28, wherein when the pocket is insertedinto the frame opening, the lip contacts the frame.
 30. The conduitcasing of claim 20, wherein the angular guide assembly is mounted to thedoor with an angular guide mounting bracket.
 31. The conduit casing ofclaim 20, wherein the first section of the angular guide issubstantially cylindrical and the second section of the angular guide isa substantially trapezoidal prism.
 32. The conduit casing of claim 20,wherein the angular guide further comprises a pin portion extendingdownwardly from the pivot end.
 33. The conduit casing of claim 32,wherein the pin portion is secured to the pivot base such that theangular guide can pivot freely about the pivot end.
 34. The conduitcasing of claim 33, wherein the pin portion is inserted into the recessof the pivot base.
 35. A method for protecting and concealing one ormore service conduits passing from a frame to a door pivotally mountedto the frame, the method comprising: (a) mounting a pocket on the frame,the pocket having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls disposedtherebetween, said top, bottom, and side walls defining a front pocketopening and a rear pocket opening; and (b) mounting an angular guideassembly on the door, the angular guide assembly comprising: (i) a pivotbase; and (ii) an angular guide pivotally mounted on the pivot base, theangular guide being insertable into the front pocket opening andreceivable into the pocket; wherein the angular guide has a firstsection with a first longitudinal axis and a second section with asecond longitudinal axis, the second section extending from the firstsection; the second longitudinal axis extending from the firstlongitudinal axis at an angle greater than 90°; the first sectionterminating in a pivot end having a pivot end opening and the secondsection terminating in a receiving end having a receiving end opening,wherein when the receiving end of the angular guide is disposed in thepocket and the door is opened, the receiving end of the angular guideremains in the pocket.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the pivotbase comprises a recess for receiving the angular guide.
 37. The methodof claim 35, wherein the door is opened at an angle less than 180°. 38.The method of claim 35, wherein the door is opened at an angle less than120°.
 39. The method of claim 35, wherein the angular guide does notcontact the walls of the pocket when the door is open or closed.
 40. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the longitudinal axis of the first sectionof the angular guide is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the framewhen the door is open or closed.
 41. The method of claim 35, wherein thepocket is mounted to the frame with a pocket mount.
 42. The method ofclaim 35, wherein the pocket optionally has a rear wall positionedopposite the front pocket opening, said rear wall having a rear wallopening.
 43. The method of claim 35, wherein a lip extends outwardlyfrom the top, bottom, and side walls of the pocket around the frontpocket opening.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein when the pocket isinserted into the frame opening, the lip contacts the frame.
 45. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the angular guide assembly is mounted to thedoor with an angular guide mounting bracket.
 46. The method of claim 35,wherein the first section of the angular guide is substantiallycylindrical and the second section of the angular guide is asubstantially trapezoidal prism.
 47. The method of claim 35, wherein theangular guide further comprises a pin portion extending downwardly fromthe pivot end.
 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the pin portion issecured to the pivot base such that the angular guide can pivot freelyabout the pivot end.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the pin portionis inserted into the recess of the pivot base.
 50. The method of claim35, wherein the one or more service conduits pass from the frame throughthe pocket, through the angular guide, to the door.